Young Writers Society

Her head feels like a lead weight on my leg, but I can’t say the same for the rest of her. I honestly thought she was starving before; I underestimated. I can feel every bone in her arms. If I really tried, I’m sure I could fit my hand underneath her ribs; but I have a feeling that would only make her bleed worse. We tied an old fabric around her wound as an attempt to stop the bleeding, but it isn’t doing much.

The car swerves quickly into an exit ramp, leaving a volley of car honks in its wake. Where is he taking us? Our house is still a few more exits up.

Looking up, I see my mother clinging to my father’s forearm. Her pearly-blond hair that usually puffs in a controlled manor hangs dead, nearly reaching her shoulders. Her lips are pinched together with worry. Dad doesn’t even look up at her. He clings to the steering wheel with white knuckle strength. His entire body is rigid and unyielding.

I look away, smoothing my skirt. This is none of my business. They know what they are doing. This doesn’t involve me. They will take us where we need to go. Beth will be fine and we will be home soon. That’s all that matters.

Dad rushes into a small side street, nearly hitting trash cans piled up on the corner. Turn after turn, he takes us speeding deeper into the city. Old buildings and walls fill the streets with shadow, and my gosh I wish he would drive faster. Stray animals pop out of old boxes and race across the street in a mad dash.

I wish I could look away like before and just pretend that this is a dream, but there is no where to look. Just yesterday I was hanging out with Jess, now I have a girl with a puss-filled cheek and a punctured leg laying on my lap. Can this honestly get any worse? Actually, a better question would be, how have I not noticed.

Everyone knows auctions happen once a month. We all know where the kids come from. It just happens. Just a story someone tells so they can get the honor of being know as “child with the worst life.” I only wish I hadn’t laughed with everyone else.

“We’re here,” says dad.

Question of the moment: where is here? It’s a dead end. Literally, three brick walls; there is no physical way to get through that. What is he trying to do? Does he just want to leave her here to die or something? Yea, I get it, even I realize having a convict is embarrassing, but he’s a doctor. He saves lives. When did he start taking them?

Mom doesn’t say a word as she gets out of the car. She also doesn’t hesitate. Why am I the only one that has no idea! People please, is it so hard to keep me in the loop?

“Emma, get out of the car,” he orders sternly.

What is he doing? What are they doing? I get out of the car, but try not to stray too far from Beth. He isn’t going to leave her here. I won’t let him.

He walks forward, towards the far wall. What does he think this is, Harry Potter? Oh yes, I read it. James snuck it in one day. He said his dad was a pilot and smuggled a load of them into the country. People don’t walk through walls, certainly not here.

He bends down to move a large wooden create to the side. He struggles, a lot. My dad isn’t exactly one of those ‘show wrestlers’ that they have perform sometimes. He’s tiny, and certainly not someone who would go around moving things just to show off. Why is he doing this? What’s the point?

There is a crack in the wood, and finally he is able to move it. Just below it is a metal grate. He pulls out of his pocket an old key and opens it up. Mom, without hesitation, climbs in and lands with a small thud.

“What’s going on?” I finally ask.

“Shh; help me get Sparrow out of the car,” he answers.

Alright, so no leaving Beth; is this good? Or are we just trying to dispose of the body where no one will notice? Hang on, how come he had a key? Was this planned? Did he know he was going to kill whatever child he got?

I follow him from behind. He opens the car door revealing the dying girl laying on the seat. He pulls her out by her arms and motions for me to grab her legs. He repositions himself so that he holds her like a baby and walks towards the tunnel. I watch him descend into the murky depths and disappear into the darkness.